89(R) Senate Bill 1555 - Robert Nichols, Carol Alvarado

This bill would create a grant program to make at-grade rail crossings for vehicles and pedestrians safer, a hot button in transportation circles this session.

The bill comes after the Texas Department of Transportation started the ball rolling by asking for an Exceptional Item (out-of-budget request) for $175 million for rail overpass and underpass projects in their Legislative Appropriations Request this session.

House Joint Resolution 58 - John Bucy

This would be a constitutional amendment that would authorize the use of money in the state highway fund for transit-oriented projects.

This would be the first time the public would have a say on how transportation funding is distributed other than for highway projects.

Should this resolution pass the legislature, it would appear on November 4, 2025 ballots.

89(R) House Bill 483 - John Bucy

High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail in the I-35 Corridor from Dallas-Fort Worth to San Antonio.

This bill would allow the Texas Department of Transportation to enter into a comprehensive development agreement with a private entity to construct, maintain and operate high-speed rail service between Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio along the I-35 travel corridor. The service should reasonably be expected to reach speeds of 110 miles per hour or more.

This bill would specifically address the needs of congestion mitigation along the I-35 corridor and would not affect a current law passed by Texas legislators and signed by the governor that prohibits the use of state funds in building a high-speed rail line between Dallas and Houston.

If passed by the Texas legislature and signed by Governor Abbott, this bill would take effect as of September 1, 2025. It would modify SECTION 1, Chapter 91 of the Transportation Code by amending and adding Subchapter G.

89(R) Senate Bill 424 (companion to HB 483) - Sarah Eckhardt

High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail in the I-35 Corridor from Dallas-Fort Worth to San Antonio.

This bill would allow the Texas Department of Transportation to enter into a comprehensive development agreement with a private entity to construct, maintain and operate high-speed rail service between Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio along the I-35 travel corridor. The service should reasonably be expected to reach speeds of 110 miles per hour or more.

This bill would specifically address the needs of congestion mitigation along the I-35 corridor and would not affect a current law passed by Texas legislators and signed by the governor that prohibits the use of state funds in building a high-speed rail line between Dallas and Houston.

If passed by the Texas legislature and signed by Governor Abbott, this bill would take effect as of September 1, 2025. It would modify SECTION 1, Chapter 91 of the Transportation Code by amending and adding Subchapter G.

89 (R) Senate Bill 1769 - Molly Cook

HHigh-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail between Houston to Austin

This bill would require the Texas Department of Transportation to enter into a Comprehensive Development Agreement (CDA) with a private entity to construct, maintain and operate high-speed rail connecting Houston to Austin. The project would reasonably expect to reach speeds of at least 110 miles per hour. TxDOT did a study of this route in 2011 but it was not advanced.

889(R) House Bill 3727 - Jared Patterson / Ana Hernandez

A Grant Program to fund railroad grade crossing separation projects

This bill is identical to Senate Bill 1555. It would be used to separate roads from rail crossings that are off the state highway system and also rail-pedestrian grade separation projects. For the purpose of increasing public safety, enhancing economic development, and reducing traffic, TxDOT shall establish and administer a program to award grants to political subdivisions of this state or railroad companies.

89(R) House Bill 548 - Carl Tepper

Increasing the penalties for breaking into rail cars

This bill increases the criminal penalty to third degree felony if a person is convicted of breaking into a rail car. If previously convicted, there would be a minimum jail term of one year. This bill addresses the increase in break ins to freight rail cars. There has been a significant increase in theft of merchandise while trains are stopped or parked. A somewhat similar bill was filed by Rep. David Spiller (HB 674) and Senator Tan Parker (SB 1279).

89(R) House Bill 663 - Brian Harrison

Denying the use of eminent domain for a high-speed rail project.

This bill would not allow a private entity, described as a railroad, to exercise the power of eminent domain for the purpose of developing or operating high-speed rail. In 2022 the Texas Supreme Court decided that Texas Central, a railroad engaged in building high-speed rail between Dallas and Houston, had the right to acquire land to build the line. If passed, this would supersede the Supreme Court’s decision.

89(R) House Bill 1402 - Cody Harris

Denying the use of funds to pay for high-speed rail even if it is a PUBLIC project.

This bill would prohibit the use of public funds for planning, facility construction or maintenance, security, promotion or operation of a high-speed rail operated by a private entity. It also prohibits using public funds for alteration of a roadway related to high-speed rail construction. The state would be barred from accepting public money (theoretically even federal rail funds) for a high-speed rail project operated by a public or private entity.

89(R) House Bill 2979 - Cody Harris

Not allowing an entity to use eminent domain for a high-speed rail project

Another bill that would prohibit high-speed rail projects from using eminent domain authority. This is another attempt every legislative session to kill any project that would build and operate high-speed trains that would connect Texas cities.

89R House Bill 2003 - Cody Harris

An entity would have to divulge confidential and proprietary information on a high-speed rail project

And yet another bill designed to slow down or discourage a private or public entity in building and/or operating high-speed rail in Texas. A private entity would be required to divulge sensitive, confidential or proprietary information and would discourage them from investing in a Texas project.

89R House Bill 3019 - Briscoe Cain

The Governor would have to approve any light-rail project, taking away local authority

No federal funds would be allowed for a light-rail project without the approval of the Governor of Texas.

89(R) House Bill 3187 - Representative Matt Shaheen, and Senators Angela Paxton, Brent Hagenbuch, and Tan Parker

Would adversely impact transit districts by lowering and redirecting 25% of sales tax collected for their operations to non-transit projects

That reduced percentage would be redirected to fund a "general mobility program." Dallas Area Rapid Transit Board Chairman Gary Slagel said in a statement “We can say without question that this legislation will dramatically reduce bus and rail service reliability, expansion plans, and long-term infrastructure investments.

89(R) Senate Bill 1557 - Representative Matt Shaheen, and Senators Angela Paxton, Brent Hagenbuch, and Tan Parker

Would adversely impact transit districts by lowering and redirecting 25% of sales tax collected for their operations to non-transit projects

That reduced percentage would be redirected to fund a "general mobility program." Dallas Area Rapid Transit Board Chairman Gary Slagel said in a statement “We can say without question that this legislation will dramatically reduce bus and rail service reliability, expansion plans, and long-term infrastructure investments.

89(R) House Bill 3879 - Ellen Troxclair

This bill would affect Project Connect in Austin and other statewide local transit projects if a project is subject to change

This follows a bill filed by Troxclair last session that was derailed on a technicality. The latest bill would prevent local governments and their government corporations from using money raised through tax rate elections to repay future bond debt. It would also let taxpayers sue to stop future tax collection if the scope of a project changes significantly after initial voter approval.

89(R) House Bill 1564 - Ana Hernandez

Limiting the length of trains to a maximum of 8,500 feet.

A railroad company may not operate or permit to be operated on any part of a rail line in this state a train that is 8,500 feet in length or longer. SECTIONA2.AA This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

A similar bill was filed in the 2023 legislative session by Representative Hernandez, 88(R) HB 2717 and received a hearing, but no action was taken. See this TRA Newswire story. The state lawmaker continues to be concerned about long trains blocking at-grade crossings and posing a hazard for blocked emergency vehicles and for pedestrians that cross tracks in front of and underneath stopped trains.

Federal law regulating railroads may pre-empt state action. Texas Rail Advocates believes that the solution is for the state to fund more overpasses and underpasses where needed and to apply for matching federal rail grants to multiply the benefits. A $175 million TxDOT Exceptional Item in the 2025 Legislative Appropriations Request would finally be a start to solve this issue, especially in congested urban areas. TRA urges legislators to fund this line item.